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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Numerology - An Introduction to the Fascinating Science of Numbers and Personality

By Matthew Oliver Goodwin

What Is Numerology?

Numerology is the study of the symbolism of numbers. It is used to determine a person's personality, strengths and talents, obstacles to be overcome, inner needs, emotional reactions and ways of dealing with others.

A Little History

The roots of numerology can be traced back some 10,000 years or more to Egypt and Babylonia. Pythagoras, who developed many of the basic theorems that form the foundation of modern mathematics (including the right triangle theorem taught in math classes today) is credited with formally organizing the field about 2600 years ago in ancient Greece. At the turn of the twentieth century, an American woman, L. Dow Balliet, and several of her contemporaries published a few books and started the modern phase of numerology. The field grew slowly through several decades. Now, in the last half of the century, increased research and publishing along with a marked resurgence of interest in numerology is taking place.

How Numerology Works

Everything in the universe vibrates at its own particular frequency. By finding the vibration rate of any object, you can establish the qualities and energies associated with it. By applying the principles of numerology -- and using only the name and birth date as the basic data -- you can determine the major frequencies of different people. A numerological analysis of the calculated frequencies provides significant information on these people's personalities and character.

The Basic Numerology Calculation

In the basic mathematical operation used in numerology, the numbers are reduced by simple addition. The number 15, for instance, is reduced by adding 1 + 5 to get 6. Similarly, the number 1974 can be reduced by adding 1 + 9 + 7 + 4 to get 21. The 21 can be further reduced by adding 2 + 1 to get 3.

In numerology, all numbers are reduced to the single digits 1 through 9 except the special master numbers 11 and 22. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 22 represent the major vibration rates associated with people's characteristics.

Letters in individuals' names are converted to numbers and then added together. These numbers, in turn, are also reduced. The letter A, for instance, is 1; the letter B is 2; the letter C is 3, and so forth. The following table shows the numbers assigned to all 26 letters in the English alphabet.

By applying simple mathematical formulas to the numbers representing a person's name and birth date, a numerologist can derive four major core elements and some twenty or thirty modifiers. A symbolic evaluation of these elements and modifiers provides a remarkably complete and accurate character analysis. (About half the information in the analysis, incidentally, comes from the birth date and half from the name.)

The Symbolism Of Numbers

The symbolic analysis of the single digits and master numbers is the essence of a numerological character analysis. Since so many numbers are present and modify each other, the analysis is, as you might expect, a considerably complex operation. When you understand the basic symbolism of the numbers outlined below, though, you'll have a useful grasp which should make it easier for you to interpret the various parts of a numerology reading.

This number brings strong leadership potential. As a person with this number develops this ability, they may be able to assume a significant position in the business or political world. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn the benefits of being independent. A person with this number must first learn to stand comfortably on their own two feet without leaning on other people. After that, they can advance themselves by using their ability for organizing, leading and managing. Some people spend much of their lives on the first part of the lesson. Others learn that part quickly and devote most of their lives to important leadership roles.

People with this number have an innate sensitivity and an extreme awareness of their own and others' feelings. Because they are so touched by the subtleties of everyone's emotions, they can understand a great deal from a word, a gesture or even an unspoken thought. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn to balance that sensitivity so it contributes to one's well-being instead of tripping oneself up. Rather than becoming hurt or resentful because of their unusual sensitivity, one must learn to use their responsiveness for their own and others' benefit. Although their sensitivity may feel like a weakness, particularly in their younger years, it is, without question, one of their important strengths.

Individuals with this number have a special gift, the potential to experience great delight in the pleasures of life. They sometimes affirm this delight with exhilarating enthusiasm, sometimes savor it with intense but quiet pleasure. One of their major lessons of this number is to learn to fully appreciate and express this wonderful joy in living. Those with this number enjoy people and spend considerable time socializing, either with many friends in varied activities or in the company of a few intimates engaged in quiet diversions. They're also apt to enjoy using their considerable creative ability.

4: System and Order, Service, Sense of Limitation; Managing, Working Hard, Practical, Down-to-Earth.

Those with this number have the potential to work long, hard and patiently. If there's a job requiring a good deal of time, much difficult work and careful attention to detail, they can probably do it well. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn the advantage of using system and order. A person with this number may choose a line of work in which their systematic approach can be developed. They're likely to be good at establishing new routines and maintaining existing ones. They will also experience limitations and restrictions at times in their life. Rather then struggle against these, it is necessary to learn to live with them, to accept them and make a meaningful life, not in spite of the limitations, but because of the limitations.

A person with this number displays considerable versatility -- the ability to do almost anything they attempt with superior skill. This innate capacity allows them a boundless freedom most people can only dream about. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn to use this freedom constructively. Since these individuals have so many talents and so many opportunities for the use of those talents, they probably have to learn to focus their energies on a limited number of ventures rather than attempt to take advantage of all the possibilities.

People with this number demonstrate an innate ability to comfort, help and serve others less able than themselves. They devote much of their effort to other people. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn the special satisfactions that come from the responsibilities one accepts. Since others will quickly recognize the caring ways of those with this number and turn to them for the help they can provide, they are apt to commit themselves to far more than their fair share. Although their sense of responsibility is one of their important strengths, they may have to learn that they don't have to be responsible for everything or everybody.

Individuals with this number have a fine analytical mind and are capable of much in the way of learning. They usually have the potential to understand fundamental truths as well as the capacity to search for ultimate meanings. They may involve themselves in complex technical, scientific or philosophical studies. One of your major lessons of this number is to use one's abilities to learn the peace of mind which can only come from knowing oneself and accepting and expressing one's deepest feelings.

This number brings strong business ability. As a person with this number develops their executive and administrative talents, they may want to run their own business or, at the least, play a significant role in some commercial venture. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn the satisfactions of the material world and the power which comes with its mastery. Those with this number may have to learn that the attainment of wealth or power is not an end in itself, but only a means to an end. The goal, quite simply, is the happiness and satisfaction which can be achieved along with the material freedom.

People with this number have an innate love of their fellow man. They usually enjoy people as individuals and, at the same time, have a marked concern for humanity in general. They may involve themselves in philanthropic or humanitarian activities. One of the major lessons of this number is to learn to give of oneself as selflessly as possible, without thought of reward or return. As one can well imagine, this is a difficult lesson to put into practice. Much of a person's effort may be spent in learning to balance their personal needs and ambitions, however large or small, against their inborn desire to contribute to those in need.

11: Illumination, Nervous Tension; Spiritual Channel and Teacher.

When those with this number use their spiritual awareness, they can intuitively perceive a great deal about the non-material world -- and religious, psychic or metaphysical forces. They have the potential to act as a channel for these awareness's. They must learn to develop their ability to tune into these spiritual areas and then transmit their unique knowledge and increased perception of the deepest truths to others. This may prove to be one of the more important lessons that they learn.

When those with this number use their spiritual awareness, they are likely to intuitively perceive a great deal about the non-material world -- and religious, psychic or metaphysical forces. They have the potential to apply these unique philosophical perceptions to the accomplishment of practical, down-to-earth undertakings. They may be able to develop or manage sizable ventures, particularly ventures with significant humanitarian ends. Learning to use their non-material understandings for the benefit of the material world may prove to be one of the more important lessons in their life.

The two most important parts of a numerology reading are the Life Path and Expression which are described below. Using the above number descriptions, you can get a basic idea of what your numbers mean.

Life Path

The Life Path is the most important number in a numerology reading. If you could only use one number to describe a person, that number would, undoubtedly, be the Life Path.

The Life Path describes the major lessons to be learned in a person's life. These lessons often determine the central focus of the life. The Life Path also clarifies the environment which is most conducive to learning the lessons involved and describes, as well, some of the major characteristics likely to be present in the individual's makeup. Most people have little trouble relating to their Life Path. Some people, though, for their own reasons, have little interest in pursuing that particular direction.

The Life Path is derived by calculating the sum of the month, day and year of birth, and reducing to a single digit or master number.

Expression

The Expression is another important number. It describes a person's potential talents -- the natural abilities as well as the related character traits. For most of us, these talents and skills are there at birth, although they are usually further developed as an individual grows and matures. Very often -- but not always -- these particular abilities are of primary importance in a person's work and career. Frequently, the talents described by the Expression form the central feature of an individual's career.

The Expression is derived by calculating the sum of the number values of all the letters in the name -- for example, the letters in the full name appearing on the birth certificate, and reducing to a single digit or master number.

Though this article is intended to cover the basics of numerology, there are many good books available if you would like to pursue this fascinating subject in more depth.

Matthew Oliver Goodwin and Numerology Software

Matthew Oliver Goodwin, a renowned numerologist and author of "Numerology: The Complete Guide," has developed a complete family of numerology software for both professional and personal use. Published by Widening Horizons, this software allows you to do in minutes what a professional numerologist takes hours to do. Whether you want to sell reports for profit, save time and eliminate hand calculations, or simply learn more about yourself, family and friends, there is a program to fit your needs. Using an integrated approach -- similar to what a professional numerologist does in a personal reading -- results in unusually insightful and accurate reports. Programs include Numerology Personality, Numerology Compatibility and Numerology Forecast Reports, and Numerology Charts.